“What if they want revenge for the Colonel being caught? They might try to hurt Isla.”
“Who might try to hurt me?” said a voice.
They turned to see Isla standing in the kitchen doorway, arms wrapped tightly around herself.
“No one honey,” said Mike. “Don’t worry about it.”
She looked to Stewart. “Who might hurt me?”
“The Colonel’s accomplice,” he replied.
“He had an accomplice?”
“You didn’t know?”
She shook her head. “I never saw him with anyone.”
“The accomplice left your clothes about the cottage.”
Her skin paled. “You mean they were here, in our home?”
“Yes.”
She looked to Mike. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Because you’ve got enough to deal with,” he replied.
“Did they leave my clothes while you were in the house?”
He nodded sadly. “Yeah.”
“They could have hurt you.”
“But they didn’t. They were just trying to mess with my head.”
Her fingers went to her hair. “And…my ponytail? What did they do with that?”
“Wrapped it around the front door handle,” Mike mumbled to the floor.
“Sick bastards,” she said, a tear spilling down her cheek.
Mike went to her and wrapped his arms around her, pressing his cheek to the top of her head.
As he watched them together, Stewart felt a little ashamed that he’d suspected Mike had been responsible. It was clear now how much he adored that woman. Still, he’d only been doing his job. “I have to ask Isla,” he said. “Are you ready to talk about what happened?”
“Hasn’t…that man told you?”
“He has but I need to know he’s given us the truth.”
She looked up at Mike. “Should I?”
“Only if you think you can handle it,” he replied.
“Well, okay but I can’t say it in front of you all.”
“I’ll wait in the sitting room,” said Wheeler, getting to his feet.
Isla looked to her brother. “Sorry Ross but…”
He rose and kissed her cheek. “Don’t worry about it sis.”
She squeezed his arm. “Thank you.”
“Do you want me to wait outside?” Mike asked her.
“No,” she said, taking his hand. “I need you to help me get through it.”
They sat beside each other, facing Stewart, who patiently waited for her to begin. Mike poured her a cup of coffee and she wrapped her hands around the hot mug in an attempt to warm them.
She began by explaining how she’d been abducted, which matched with what the Colonel had said, although details were hazy as she’d been knocked out and drugged. Her time under the hatch in the extension was hazy too as she’d been kept drugged for most of it. She remembered a couple of times the hatch was opened and she looked up to see the Colonel looking down at her. Every time she woke up another piece of her outdoor clothing had gone. He left her food and water in the early days, she couldn’t say for how long. When he stopped providing her with any he knew he intended to kill her.
At this point Isla broke off and looked down at her hands while she got herself under control, gripping onto Mike’s hand so hard he thought his bones might crack. Taking a deep breath, she bravely raised her head to continue her story.
The only time she remembered something being taken was her ponytail. The tranquiliser had worn off and when the Colonel had jumped into the hatch with her holding a knife she’d thought she was going to die, so she’d struggled against him. It had almost been a relief when he took her hair. She didn’t remember Hannah being put in the hatch with her, she woke up and she was there, unconscious. Isla confessed how guilty she’d felt about being glad that she wasn’t alone anymore. Unfortunately she’d been awake when he’d taken her out of the hatch and put her in the wall. Hannah had been awake too and she’d clung onto her legs with her bound hands when the Colonel had dragged her out of the hole. Isla had fought and kicked but her hands and feet had been tied and he was so strong he’d thrown her about like a rag doll. He’d threatened her with the knife to make her stay still so he could photograph her on his phone then he’d shoved her into the wall and tied the cord around her neck. He’d injected her again and when she’d woken up the wall was already sealed.
As she talked her body trembled, tears rolling down her face, dripping onto her shaking hands.
“I can’t believe what he did to me,” she whispered. “I’ve known him all my life.” Mike wrapped an arm around her shoulders and she gazed up at him. “I never gave up hope that you would come for me. I kept my eyes closed and thought of us together in this cottage. It stopped me from going insane.”
“Okay, thank you Isla,” said Stewart gently when she buried her face in Mike’s shoulder, sobbing. “You’ve given me everything I need.”
“Will she have to give evidence in court?” Mike asked him.
“Well, he’s admitted everything, so hopefully he’ll plead guilty. If he does then no, she won’t. But he’s completely lost touch with reality so you never know. If you do have to give evidence Isla you can do it by video link.”
“That would be good, thank you,” she said, straightening up, wiping her eyes.
“Are you okay if I ask you one more question? It’s about your granddad Robert.”
“Later,” said Mike. “That’s enough for one day.”
“No, it’s alright,” she said. “Let’s get it over with.”
“Thank you Isla,” said Stewart. “Mike’s already explained the situation?”
“He just said Granddad’s body was found under the cellar floor.”
“Yes. Have you any idea how he got there?”
“No, none. We were on holiday when Gran called to tell us he’d left her for another woman and we had no reason not to believe it. He’d abused her for years and had loads of affairs. It wasn’t a surprise. We were just glad he was gone.”
“That’s what your brother told me. How was your relationship with your grandfather?”
“Surely you don’t think that I did it? I was only fifteen and I wasn’t even in the area at the time.”
“No, of course not Isla. I’m just trying to build a picture of his life.”
Mike frowned. That was the exact same thing he’d said to him before he’d started suspecting him of killing Isla.
“Well, it used to be good, when I was little. Then one day I saw him hit Gran. Everything changed after that. I didn’t want anything to do with him. I barely spoke to him, I didn’t want him anywhere near me. I’d seen who he really was and he didn’t like it.”
“This question might upset you Isla but I have to ask - do you think your gran was capable of killing him?”
“Yes,” she replied without hesitation.
“Oh, right,” replied Stewart, not expecting such a straightforward answer.
“Obviously I can’t be a hundred percent certain,” she continued. “But I think she was pushed to her limit after years of abuse and snapped. If that’s what happened I don’t blame her for a single second. The bastard deserved it.”
“Perhaps you’re right.”
“I am right. Let it go. Gran’s dead. Don’t sully her memory, please.”
Stewart just nodded, refusing to make a commitment either way. “We can release Robert’s body, if you’re ready?”
“Oh God, I hadn’t thought of that.”
“Don’t,” replied Mike. “Let Ross sort it out.”
“Shall I speak to him about it instead?” Stewart asked her.
“Yes please,” she said. “I really can’t face it.”
“Understandable. Right, I’ll leave you in peace. If I may offer some advice Isla?”
She looked at him expectantly.
“You have a nice life. Don’t let the Colonel take that from you.”
“I won’
t. Thank you DI Stewart.”
“You’re very welcome Isla. This is a much happier ending than some missing persons cases I’ve worked.”
“I don’t doubt it,” she replied as he exited the kitchen to talk to Ross in the sitting room.
“Are you okay after that?” Mike asked her.
“Yeah,” she replied, running her fingers through her hair.
“Is something wrong?” he said when she cringed.
“I keep forgetting it’s so short. It feels weird.”
“It’s cute. You look like a little pixie.”
“A pixie?” she said, lips twitching.
“Yes and if you don’t want to look like a pixie you can grow it back. It’s not a problem.”
“I don’t know what I want to do with it. Actually I don’t know anything right now. I feel so messed up.”
“You’re bound to after what you’ve been through. Just take it one day at a time. I’ll be right here with you, for all of it.”
“It’s going to be a long, hard road. I can feel it.”
“I know and we’ll walk it together.”
“God I’m so lucky to have you Mike. If it wasn’t for you I’d still be in that wall…” She trailed off and shivered. “I can’t stand thinking about it.”
“Then don’t, at least not now. We’ll get you counselling. Everything will be fine.”
She regarded him with red puffy eyes. “Will it?”
“I know right know it’s all still so raw but remember what Stewart said - don’t let him win.”
“I’m trying but he took everything from me Mike. Everything.”
“And you got it back while he’ll spend the rest of his life rotting in prison. Come here,” he said, hugging her.
She buried her face in his chest, her body shaking with emotion. He’d thought she would come home and everything would be okay but it was clear now that wasn’t going to happen. He wasn’t sure how he should help her for the best and it scared him.
Mike and Isla only returned to the sitting room once Stewart and Wheeler had gone. Ross was standing at the window, looking out over the loch, pale and lost in thought.
“Did they talk to you about Granddad’s body?” said Isla.
He turned to face them and nodded. “Aye. I’ll take care of it, don’t worry about it.”
“Thank you,” she said, relieved.
“Do you want a funeral for him?”
“I suppose we should. It’ll just be a small affair, he wasn’t a popular man.”
“You have to be prepared for the fact that a lot of people might turn up out of curiosity,” said Mike.
“Oh God, I hadn’t thought of that,” said Isla. “There’ll be reporters, won’t there?”
“Not if we keep it quiet,” said Ross. “I’ll find someone discreet to handle everything.”
“I don’t want to go to his funeral but I suppose I must. He was blood after all.”
“You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to,” said Mike.
“No, I feel I should. It’ll help me draw a line under the whole horrible affair.”
“Okay,” replied Ross. “I’ll make the arrangements.”
“Thank you,” said Isla, relieved that burden wouldn’t be placed on her shoulders. Already she felt to be buckling under the strain.
CHAPTER 19
“It’s just me,” called Hannah as she stepped into the house, locking the door behind her, something she’d never done before. After her experience at the Colonel’s hands she’d become much more security conscious. She’d just dropped her younger daughter Maggie off at her friend’s house for a sleepover. As Amelia was sixteen she was old enough to be left on her own.
Amelia emerged in the kitchen, her auburn hair hanging lankly around her face. She hadn’t even bothered to style it like she did religiously everyday and her eyes were shadowed with black.
“Are you okay sweetie? You look dreadful,” said Hannah, pressing a hand to her daughter’s forehead.
“I don’t feel so good.”
“Maybe you’re coming down with something? Or it could be recent events catching up with you. I know things haven’t been easy the past few months but the Colonel’s going to prison and he’s never getting out. Me and your dad are back on track too.”
“You’ve been arguing so much lately,” said Hannah, eyes wide and sad.
“I know and I’m so sorry but we got married when we were nineteen. That’s a long time to be together and sometimes things get a bit stale. But we’ve sorted everything out and our relationship is stronger than ever.”
“So you’re not going to run off with Alex Shaw?”
Hannah blinked at her daughter in surprise. “What?”
“I know all about your affair Mum and I think it’s disgusting. Alex is a proper dickhead. What do you see in him?”
“Amelia…I…,” began Hannah, so stunned she had no idea what to say.
“You’re horrible, you make me sick. I hate you,” she yelled at her.
“Sweetheart,” said Hannah, tears forming in her eyes. She’d no idea Amelia had known about her affair. “I made a big mistake, it was very silly of me and I will regret it for the rest of my life but I’ve talked things through with your dad and he’s forgiven me.”
“He might have but I never will. You’ve ruined everything,” Amelia screamed at her.
“I’m so sorry,” wept Hannah. “I didn’t want to hurt anyone.”
“Well you have. Nothing can ever be the same again.”
Hannah cupped her daughter’s face in her hands and brushed her tears away with her thumbs. “It will sweetheart. We’re going away for a few days, the four of us as a family and then we’ll come home and have a nice Christmas. Everything will go back to how it was, promise.”
“It can’t because now everyone knows you’re a slag.”
“Amelia,” she gasped. “Please don’t talk to me like that.”
“Why not? It’s true and you always say it’s wrong to lie but you’re the biggest liar of them all.”
“If I could go back in time and change things I would but I can’t. All we can do is make the best of things.”
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you? Everyone forgetting what you did. Well I can’t,” she said, voice cracking, fresh tears sliding down her face.
Hannah was horrified by how her actions had damaged her daughter. “What do you want me to do? How can I make it up to you?”
“You should have died in that wall,” she snapped back at her. “I wish you had.”
“Amelia,” said Hannah, pain lancing through her chest. “You don’t mean that.”
“Yes I do. I hate you.”
When Amelia burst into tears Hannah pulled her into her arms, delighted when her daughter hugged her back and sobbed into her chest.
“God I’m sorry,” said Hannah, kissing the top of her head. “I am so sorry. Does Maggie know too?”
“No,” she mumbled into her shoulder. “Don’t worry, I kept quiet about your dirty secret.”
“Thank you.” She tilted Amelia’s face up to hers. “I am so sorry for hurting you and your dad but I will never do it again and I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you.”
Amelia just nodded and straightened up, wiping away her tears.
“I’m going back to the hospital to see your dad, I just came home to pick up a few things for him. Why don’t you come with me? Then you’ll see how close we are again.”
“Yeah, okay,” she mumbled.
“Good girl. Go upstairs and wash your face and brush your hair and I’ll make you a sandwich, then we can go.”
Amelia just nodded and made for the door. Before she left the room she ran back to her mum and enveloped her in a hug.
“I love you Mum,” she breathed.
Elated, Hannah clung onto her. “I love you too sweetie, so much.”
When the hug ended Hannah delved into the fridge, humming happily to herself as she gathered tog
ether the ingredients for her daughter’s sandwich.
While her back was turned, Amelia quietly opened a drawer and took out a heavy wooden rolling pin. She ran up behind her mother and brought it down on the back of her head with a scream.
Hannah groaned and crumpled to the floor, the food she’d gathered falling from her arms. Disorientated and vision blurring, she managed to roll onto her side and saw her daughter standing over her, glaring down at her with such pitiless eyes she was chilled to the bone.
“W…what are you doing?” she breathed.
“After what you’ve done you think we can just go back to how things were and everything will be okay? You’re so fucking stupid.”
“Amelia….I….”
“The Colonel told me all about it, he showed me photos of you and Alex together and you think I can forget about it just because it’s what you want?”
“The Colonel?” Realisation struck Hannah with the force of a train. “You wear size four shoes. You’re his accomplice.”
“Finally worked it out then? God you’re stupid. You always were, that’s why you chose an idiot like Alex Shaw over Dad.”
“Amelia, please no,” cried Hannah, holding out her hand to ward her off when she raised the rolling pin in the air again.
“I hate you,” she screamed before bringing it down again and again on her mother’s head until she went silent.
Breathing hard, she threw down the rolling pin and hastily washed the blood off her hands in the kitchen sink, refusing to think about what she’d done. She wasn’t finished yet.
The fridge door started to bleep because it had been left open so she kicked it shut, silencing it, refusing to look at her mum unconscious on the floor as she did it. She’d no idea whether she was alive or dead, she couldn’t hear her breathing. It was surprising how little she cared.
Amelia pulled on her mum’s coat and put on her sunglasses, which she found in her handbag. Because they were of similar height and had the same hair colour everyone would think she was her. After a moment’s thought she took one of the kitchen knives from the block on the worktop and slid it inside the coat pocket. She took the car keys out of her mum’s handbag and hurried outside, closing the front door behind her and locking it. She got in her mum’s red Ford Focus that sat on the drive and started the engine. Although she had her provisional driver’s licence she hadn’t had any formal lessons but her dad had taken her to practice driving around an industrial park, so she knew how to handle this car. Plus her mum hated manual cars, so she always drove automatics, which were really easy to drive, just like dodgems.
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